Lewis Stakes a Claim to Cross-Country Title in 3-A Qualifying Race

Bryan Dameworth of Agoura High and Mike Williamson of Thousand Oaks have been the 2 most publicized runners in the Valley area this cross-country season, but Burbank’s Todd Lewis stole some of their limelight in the Southern Section prelims at Mt. San Antonio College on Friday.

Lewis, unchallenged after the first mile, cruised to a personal best of 15 minutes, 17 seconds over the 3-mile course to win heat 1 of the boys’ 3-A Division.

Ernie Delgado of Rowland finished second in 15:44 and Mike Sanchez of Burbank placed third in 15:51.

“Todd looked very sharp today,” Burbank Coach Dave Kemp said after his protege equaled the fastest time of the day. “He looks like he’s ready to roll next week.”

Powered by Lewis and Sanchez, Burbank placed third to qualify for the Southern Section championships Saturday on the same course.

Rowland was first with 50 points, followed by Rosemead (121), Burbank (135) and Claremont (146).

There were 3 heats per division and the top 4 teams and the top 3 individuals in each heat qualified for next week’s meet.

Peter De La Cerda of Alemany won the third 3-A heat in 15:35, and Hart took team honors with 72 points. The Indians were paced by Stephen Lepken’s sixth-place finish (16:09) and Billy Dixon’s eighth-place effort (16:19).

In the 4-A races, Williamson led all qualifiers, running 15:17.

Williamson. the team sweepstakes champion at the Mt. SAC Invitational in October, opened a 50-yard lead with a 4:42 opening mile, then withstood Canyon’s Dave Hartman in the last mile.

Hartman, the L. A. County champion, established a sophomore course record with his 15:22 clocking. Scott Hempel of Walnut set the previous best of 15:23 in 1986.

Backed by Hartman’s second-place effort and Mike Rattary’s fourth-place performance (15:50), Canyon scored 77 points, ahead of Santa Ana (85), Thousand Oaks (90) and Hoover (93).

Camarillo, the top-ranked team in the state and the Southern Section, was upended by defending-champion Dana Hills, 44-48, in the first 4-A heat.

Abe Valdez (15:33), Chad Malesich (16:00) and Shawn Goetzinger (16:01) placed third, ninth and 10th for the Scorpions, but Dana Hills had 4 runners in the top 13.

In boys’ 2-A action, Dameworth ran 15:40 to win heat 2 and teammate Derek Kite placed third in 16:13 as the Chargers totaled 64 points. Lompoc (74), Ontario (75) and Monrovia (108) followed.

Agoura placed first in heat 1 of the girls’ 2-A Division with 37 points. Deena Drossin, the defending 2-A and state Division I champion, placed first in 19:02 and teammate Tiffany York finished second in 19:15.